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Iraq claims to hold prisoners of war
Baghdad, Mar 23: Iraqi Vice President Taha Yassin Ramadan said today that Iraq was holding American prisoners of war and that it would show them on television soon.
Baghdad, Mar 23: Iraqi Vice President Taha Yassin Ramadan said today that Iraq was holding American prisoners of war and that it would show them on television soon.
Coalition forces immediately denied the claims.
"Within hours you will watch American prisoners on TV screens and you will see films of burnt tanks at Souk al-Shyoukh," he told a news conference. The town is about 32 km southeast of Nasiriyah, a major crossing point over the Euphrates which central command has said was taken by US forces.
Ramadan said Iraqi troops engaged coalition forces at Nasiriyah last night. He said footage of "destroyed vehicles" would be shown to the press later today. Group Capt. Al Lockwood, spokesman for British forces in the Gulf, said, "We have no knowledge of any of our coalition people being taken prisoner of war."
In other remarks, Ramadan dismissed press reports that us special forces are in Baghdad.
"We have allowed them to cross the desert," he said. "I tell you, we wish and beg that they come to Baghdad so that we will teach them a lesson to this evil administration and all who cooperate with her." Ramadan also denied claims that Iraqi President Saddam Hussein may have been injured in the attacks that began four days ago.
"Within hours you will watch American prisoners on TV screens and you will see films of burnt tanks at Souk al-Shyoukh," he told a news conference. The town is about 32 km southeast of Nasiriyah, a major crossing point over the Euphrates which central command has said was taken by US forces.
Ramadan said Iraqi troops engaged coalition forces at Nasiriyah last night. He said footage of "destroyed vehicles" would be shown to the press later today. Group Capt. Al Lockwood, spokesman for British forces in the Gulf, said, "We have no knowledge of any of our coalition people being taken prisoner of war."
In other remarks, Ramadan dismissed press reports that us special forces are in Baghdad.
"We have allowed them to cross the desert," he said. "I tell you, we wish and beg that they come to Baghdad so that we will teach them a lesson to this evil administration and all who cooperate with her." Ramadan also denied claims that Iraqi President Saddam Hussein may have been injured in the attacks that began four days ago.
Bureau Report